'take best care of it, and turn it to the most ad. vantage. In your Friendly Society you manage all things by settled rules or laws; you have fines and penalties, as well as privileges and benefits; and you think it no more than reasonable that they who break the rules should lose the advantages which they who keep the rules enjoy.

Now in all this you shew thus far the understanding of men. And though there may be errors in your plan, and mistakes in your calculation, it is evident that you are in earnest in your design of laying up a provision upon the earth. But consider, every one of you, are you as much in earnest, do you apply as much of sense and reason towards laying up treasure in heaven? Examine yourselves by comparison in these several particulars which have now been mentioned. And remember you ought to be much more in earnest. You ought to feel much more anxiously, to labour much more diligently; as much more, as heavenly treasure is better than earthly treasure; as much more, as is implied in our Saviour's saying, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."

In

And now to begin our comparison. your Friendly Society you pay in whilst you are well able to work, in order that you may

draw out when you are too ill to get wages. 1 suppose that every one of you can at once apply this principle to the case of treasure in heaven. In our spiritual business you must all be well aware, that "the night cometh, when no man can work." (John 9. 4.) Death cannot be delayed, will not be refused, must have his prey. Are you making any provision against the day when this implacable enemy shall bear you off to "the house appointed for all living?" (Job 30. 23.) Remember, now is the time for working, now is the time for laying up in store. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," for God's glory, and for thy own salvation, do it now with all thy might; "for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest." (Eccles. 9.10.)

But again, in your Friendly Society you are glad to have the help of others, who have more to spare than yourselves. Are you aware that in your heavenly provision it is absolutely necessary to have the help of God? Do you sufficiently consider that He is far more ready to give help than you are to ask for assistance ? Do you ask for his assistance in faith that you shall obtain it, and with thankfulness when it is obtained? Do you work as if you had any such help; thinking of it, leaning on it, profiting by it? Oh, consider, my brethren, what great

help it is! "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me;" (Phil. 4. 13;) this is the way St. Paul speaks of help from heaven. Is this the way you value it? Is it in full reliance on such help as this that you undertake to lead a holy life? Or do you work as if you had no strength besides your own, mere weakness as you know this is; and therefore work ineffectually because you feel despondingly?

But besides the help of more wealthy friends, which is peculiar to those clubs that admit Patrons, it is in the nature of all your Societies that you contribute to assist one another. Now this ought also to be the case in your spiritual provision for eternity. Christians must never look upon themselves as solitary servants of the Lord, but as a numerous and united family, as a society of such as love, and are beloved. They help each other by example. They help each other by conference, exhortation, and brotherly admonition. They help each other by joint prayer and praise, and especially by praying for each others improvement. Do you ever thus contribute your prayers, your counsel, your example, to that fund of devotion, faith, and holiness, which helps to spread amongst your brethren peace and joy? Do you ever feel yourselves refreshed when you are weary, and cheered when sad at heart, by considering that B. 3

there are many of your brethren, though you know not always which they be, who are trusting in the same Saviour's blood, and by sharing in the grace given in answer to their prayers, though you cannot even guess whose prayers they are? If not, it is to be feared that in laying up treaşure in heaven you are neglecting that effectual help which comes of the communion of saints, the working together and praying together of all those, who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity.

But I observe further in your rules that you keep accounts of your receipts and payments; and that on due occasions you have them properly cast up and balanced. Now this is in order that you may know how you stand in regard to your provision of earthly treasure. For it is universally observed that in order to thrive in worldly wealth, it is needful for a man to be accurate in his accounts. And it is no less true that those who really are thriving, are fond of looking into their books and casting up their gains. Whilst the spendthrift keeps no accounts at all. And the bankrupt if he has any, fears to look into them. Now which of you can say that he keeps account of heavenly treasure? Which finds that he takes delight in searching and examining into the condition of his soul? When did you last take the pains to ask your

selves questions such as these following: What must I do to be saved? How many have been my sins? Has my repentance been sincere? Am I, or am I not, in the faith? Has Christ as far as I am concerned died in vain? or have I ground to think that I am one with Him, and He one with me, that I am his, and shall be his for ever?

My brethren, whether you look into these things or no, they are noted in a book. And the account must one day be cast up. God has his reckoning day. And whether you will examine yourselves or not, He will surely bring you to judgment. Thus it is that the reckoning is described in Scripture: "I saw the dead,' small and great, stand before God; and the books

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were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Rev. 20. 12.) Oh, my brethren, what books are these to think of! How frequently ought you to be casting up beforehand the reckoning which you must then go through in the presence of your Judge! How thankful should I be to think, that the word now spoken might but prevail on any one of you, to ask himself in earnest this single. question, How stands my account with God?