ful, that many persons are afraid to communicate to their sick friends that their end is near. As this is the case, how shall we feel when death arrests us? To die, yea, enter into a boundless eternity unprepared; horrible thought!

Constant preparation for death makes the prospect of it agreeable, and sheds a cheerful light through the dark passage of the grave.. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace!" He that is prepared for death is the happiest of mortals; for he carries about with him the only joy worth living for in this world-a sure passport to glory. Come when it will, the prepared soul meets Death with a smile, and welcomes him as the harbinger of endless blessedness.

6thly. A Christian is a highly privileged character. He has a rest provided for him beyond the grave, and every hour brings him near the enjoyment of it. All the time he spends on this side eternity, he has a God to befriend him, and when he dies a Saviour to support him. Though," says David, "I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."*

A believer in this world is under the especial protection of Christ's ministering spirits; and when he dies, they conduct him to heaven:

"Angels hover round his bed,
To waft his spirit home."

A Christian dying is like a tree

* Psa. xxiii. 4.

throwing off its withered leaves, only preparing for a more glorious shooting forth; a beauty that is for ever fresh, delightful, and blooming. At death a Christian loses every spot and wrinkle ; his body is fashioned like unto Christ's own glorious body, and it flourishes in eternal youth. The moment of a Christian's departure from this world, is the instant of his entrance into the presence and beatific enjoyment of his God; at once he is made eternally happy. Oh what privileges! "May I die the death of the righteous, and may my last end be like his !"

Merciful God! be pleased to impress upon all hearts the necessity of being prepared for death; and oh! do thou estrange us from the perishing things of this world. As we must all die, make us ready to die; "so that

when we come to die, we may have nothing to do but die, but may die and depart, and be with Christ, which is far better."

"Prepare us, Lord, for thy right hand,
Then come the joyful day;

Come, Death, and some celestial band
To bear our souls away."

"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought

to pass

the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."*

* 1 Cor. xv.